Tuesday January 31, 2012
Hershey Focuses On Responsible Cocoa
Hershey, PA — The Hershey Co. is launching a new responsible cocoa farm program, working to source Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa for Hershey’s Bliss chocolates, and investing $10 million during the next five years to reduce child labor and boost cocoa supplies in West Africa.
Later this year, Hershey will introduce Bliss products with 100 percent cocoa from the certified farms, which must meet sustainability standards that protect the environment and ensure the safety and well-being of workers, their families and communities. The company is also working with the Rainforest Alliance to source cocoa from certified farms in Latin America and Africa for its Dagoba brand. Inspectors will monitor and audit farms’ practices, including instances of unsafe and illegal child labor, the company says. Hershey tells Candy & Snack TODAY it is currently evaluating how the changes will affect product packaging.
The company’s new Hershey Learn To Grow program will establish a farmer and family development center in Ghana and 25 community-based farmer organizations to boost training, resources and funding for 1,250 cocoa farm families. Partnering with the non-profit Source Trust, Hershey Learn To Grow will also assist the government of Ghana to meet the goals of the country's 2009 to 2015 National Plan of Action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor. Hershey also aims to help double cocoa yields and farm income during the next four years with the initiative.
These public and private partnerships will have a positive impact on 750,000 African cocoa farmers, as well as more than two million people in cocoa communities in the region, Hershey says.
J.P. Bilbrey, president and CEO, says: “Our global consumers want The Hershey Company to be a leader in responsible business practices and in finding smart ways to benefit cocoa communities. We are excited and humbled by this opportunity to create positive change in West Africa.”
In addition, the company is expanding its CocoaLink mobile phone program to send educational text messages to Ivory Coast farmers. Hershey will work with the Rainforest Alliance to incorporate information on conservation and climate change into the program.
More information is at www.hersheycocoasustainability.com.
